IPL In Limbo, Euro Postponed And Olympics Uncertain - Coronavirus Is Holding The Sporting World Hostage

Coronavirus seems to be holding a gun to the world's head. It's like the disease has kidnapped us for ransom and there is nobody to pay the money. Travel, markets, trade, sports, socialising and life itself has been affected by the outbreak which has claimed over 6000 lives and affected more than 180,000.

The disease originated in Wuhan, China and since then has spread to Europe, North America and other parts of Asia. Sports has been a major casualty of coronavirus with events being postponed or on the verge of cancellation. 2020 is a major sporting year and already the sporting world is being held hostage by a deadly virus.

It begins with the IPL. Cricket's biggest league was due to start on March 29 and fans were waiting in anticipation. Now it has been postponed to April 15 and while some potential starting dates have been shared by the BCCI, it is still in limbo. One can understand the cause for concern. People at the ground, players from abroad, so many individuals in one place and of course the international exposure. The risk of infection and spreading of the disease is pretty high. Yes, precautions are in place, but there's always one that can slip through the cracks. Plus the BCCI did not have a contingency plan initially as the threat was not deemed so great. What is worse is that if it is not held by May, there is no other window and it shall be deferred to next year. Also, a late start means we could have a shortened tournament which also kills the excitement. Not to mention if fans are not in attendance, the game itself shall have no meaning.

Euro 2020 is being held in 2021. UEFA decided to take no risks and the tournament which was due to take place across 12 countries is not happening this year. It was originally slated to be held from June 12 to July 12 this year but it shall now be from June 11 to July 11 next year.

The greatest sporting crisis this year is the Olympic Games. They take place in Tokyo from July 24. But already there are doubts as to whether they shall take place. Postponing them is also tough due to the costs involved. But safety does come first. If they do get cancelled it shall be the first time since 1944 that the Games have been called off. That time it was because of a World War. This time it shall be due to a pandemic.

These are not the only issues. Football and cricket leagues have been suspended, NBA has cancelled its season, the French Open in postponed and the sporting world is at a standstill. Never have we seen such a dull phase because the fear of death is hovering over the players' shoulders. Coronavirus has brought the sporting world to its knees.